Reduction in maternal and child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: the yo-yo effect in delivering on the promises.

Trends in maternal and child mortality (MCM) in sub-Saharan Africa do not follow the patterns seen in developed nations or match the funds and effort invested so far. This paper critically explores trends in MCM, global efforts to reduce MCM, and some of the underlying policies and programmatic issues that have shaped the slow progress or failure in reducing MCM in sub-Saharan Africa. We describe a "yo-yo" effect in policies and funding of Maternal and Child Health, Family Planning, and HIV/AIDS/STI programs in the region, and how this yo-yo effect may limit sustained community level reductions in MCM.

Directions for national data policy for antiretroviral therapy in resource-poor settings: a focus on durable viral suppression.

The rapid scale-up (that is, full implementation) of programs to provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV in resource-poor settings has become a major objective for many less-developed nations and the agencies that provide funding to them. The success and sustainability of ART programs will depend upon durable viral suppression, the long-term maintenance of the infected on first-line treatment regimes. This article considers the data policy that will be required to achieve durable viral suppression.